Unless your organization has an IT department that can address current needs and plan IT strategies for the foreseeable future, you may need the assistance of IT consultant to address your IT requirements.
In fact, even large businesses that have full-service IT departments use consultants to perform an independent quality assessment (QA) of plans and projects that are ready to enter the development phase.
Tips for Hiring an IT Consultant
Whether you need advice on a particular facet of IT security needs – such as data security – or you need the cybersecurity of your entire IT system assessed, hiring a provider of cybersecurity solutions in Chicago that serves as a consultant may be in your best interest. If you feel that you require the services of a consultant, below are four tips to help you hire the right one.
1. Areas of Specialization
Many cybersecurity providers in Chicago list a wide range of services on their business website, from disaster recovery, to firewall security, to offsite data storage. However, providers often have more expertise and experience in some services than others.
Naturally, you want a provider that specializes in your area of need. One of the easiest ways to determine whether a provider do this is to ask the provider how many clients have received the service you need in the past six months. Then, ask for an extensive list of current or former customers that you can contact to gain insight into the quality of the service your require.
2. Years Providing Services
How long a provider of cybersecurity solutions in Chicago has been in business should be important to prospective clients. The vast majority of startups go out of business within three years’ due to profitability issues – an unfortunate phenomenon that translates to practically all industries.
The last thing you want is for a consultant to suddenly go missing in action in the midst of the consulting process. As much as possible, narrow your list of prospective providers to ones that have operated in their current capacity for at least four years.
3. Temporary Vs. Ongoing Support
Some organizations need temporary consulting to solve a specific IT security issue, whereas others — particularly those that are short on in-house IT resources – envision receiving long-term support to make up for a lack of in-house resources.
In the latter situation, it’s best to hire a consultant who is part of a company that offers a wide range of services. These types of consultants often form business relationships with clients that last for many years.
4. Impression During Consultation
Many cybersecurity providers in Chicago look the same on paper. They frequently offer the same services, claim they offer the best customer services, and promotionally state that their solutions are “the best”. Consequently, one of the best ways to determine whether a provider fits for your needs is to hold a free consultation, in which you describe your situation.
As a general rule, prospective clients do most of the talking in an initial consultation, as the provider must hear the client’s story to propose the most strategic solution.
If you find that the consultant does most of the talking, without giving you the chance to explain your situation in-depth – and especially if the provider proposes solutions without hearing your full story – look for a different provider that offers a more client-centric consultation.
Conclusion
Providers of cybersecurity solutions in Chicago that offer consulting can help your organization get the most out of its cybersecurity system. If you feel that you need to hire an IT consultant, use the four tips above to inform your decision. For more information about cybersecurity consulting, contact a provider of cybersecurity solutions in Chicago.
